NITDA Enforces Compliance with the Regulatory Framework for Providers of Public Internet Access Services

The National
Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in line with its mandate of
promoting and regulating Information Technology in Nigeria, is set to enforce
compliance with the Public Internet Access (PIA) Regulation, issued pursuant to
Section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007. The PIA Regulation is a regulatory framework
for the provision of internet services in public areas or locations where
members of the public have unfettered access. It provides minimum requirements
and processes for provisioning of the public internet access service and
mandates compliance reporting to ensure the rules are followed in provisioning
of this vital and strategic service.

The Agency
commends operators who are currently providing this service across Nigeria, as
the service increases the use of internet and Information Technology for
development of Nigeria. It is, however, pertinent to note that this service can
be misused with great detriment to development of Information Technology and
national security, in a manner that may be injurious to the citizens. The Federal
Government is also concerned about the management and use of the personal
information of Nigerians. It is on these considerations that all service
providers of public internet service such as IT companies, Restaurants, Hotels
and Event Centres are directed to comply with the Nigerian Data Protection
Regulation of the NITDA 2019, issued pursuant to Section 6 of the NITDA 2007. Henceforth,
only registered, verified and vetted providers can provide public internet
access service in Nigeria.

Current and prospecting
providers are therefore required to register with the Agency in line with the
provisions of the Public Internet Access Regulation, 2019 and must submit, on a
bi-annual basis, completed compliance reporting forms in the manner prescribed
by NITDA. The Public Internet Access (PIA) Registration form and the Public
Internet Access Compliance forms are available on the Agency’s website: www.nitda.gov.ng.

It should be
noted that violation of the Regulatory Guidelines of NITDA is a criminal
offence and punishable with a fine, imprisonment or both. Members of the public
and operators of public internet access service are advised to comply promptly
and accordingly.

The National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA), is a Federal Government Agency established in April
2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy as well as
coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. Specifically,
Section 6(a, b & m) of the Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the
planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination,
monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices,
activities and systems in Nigeria;
provide guidelines to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of
appropriate infrastructure for information technology and systems application
and development in Nigeria for public and private sectors, urban-rural
development, the economy and the government; and accelerate internet and
intranet penetration in Nigeria and promote sound internet Governance among
others.